This weekend's Blood Red column takes a look at Virgil van Dijk and Liverpool's new-found strength in depth in their centre-back department
Virgil van Dijk will go down as one of Liverpool's greatest-ever players
Virgil van Dijk will go down as one of Liverpool's greatest-ever players
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There was once a time, not too long ago, when Virgil van Dijk's omission from a Liverpool team sheet would have sent supporters heading for the panic stations.
Such a prospect could easily have developed on Tuesday evening, in fact, when the Reds captain was conspicuous by his absence for the visit from Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Van Dijk doesn't tend to miss many games, even in his mid-30s, and no player featured more across Europe's top five leagues last season. He clocked up a whopping 5,841 minutes prior to the World Cup, where he then featured for every minute of the Netherlands' run to the last-32 stage.
Such was his workload, in fact, that the Dutch captain asked if he could avoid the pre-season tour to the United States in an effort to hit the ground running under Andoni Iraola, fearing a round trip across the Atlantic would be counterproductive after such an exacting 12 months.
Van Dijk also admitted he wanted to speak to new Netherlands coach Xavi about his international future last month but after being named in the latest Oranje squad on Friday, it's clear he remains an integral part of what his national team are trying to achieve.
The same, of course, applies at Anfield, where he is now well inside the final year of a two-term extension he penned in April of 2025.
With so much revolving around him at present in Liverpool's centre-back department, there's a theory that the long-serving skipper has never been as important to the cause, particularly as a new head coach looks to get his feet under the table.
But the idea that a Reds squad without Van Dijk should automatically induce cold sweats from supporters was gently taken down a peg on Tuesday night as the supporting cast stepped in to give their captain a well-earned night off.
Joe Gomez got his first minutes since limping out of the pre-season friendly in Nashville in late July, wearing the captain's armband, while Ronald Araujo turned in another performance that showed why he might just become something of a cult hero on Merseyside.
The Uruguay international is the sort of defender who would tackle his grandmother if the flag stayed down when she was clean through, and his uncompromising style has been a welcome addition to a squad that has sometimes been accused of being too nice.
The on-loan Barcelona man's next task at Anfield, according to Iraola, is to improve his grasp of English so his younger colleagues can feel the benefit of his experience as an international defender who has spent most of his career at Barca.
Jeremy Jacquet, a second-half substitute, showcased a glimpse of his own considerable talents as a ball-playing powerhouse at the back, decisively winning a fascinating battle with Omar Marmoush at one stage that drew big applause from match-goers.
It's easy to see why Liverpool moved for Jacquet back in January as they fended off interest from Chelsea to land the Frenchman from Rennes for £60m.
It is admittedly early days for the 21-year-old but he appears to have all the ability you would want to shape into a top-class centre-half. His formative years as a midfielder afford him comfort in possession, particularly when wrapping passes into midfield.
Giovanni Leoni's recovery will likely be managed cautiously given there is no real need to rush the Italian back from his ACL injury 12 months ago, but the sight of the 19-year-old back in training during the impending international break will only continue to foster the belief that the centre-back department is one area where this Liverpool squad is well set just now.
The Reds felt they had snared the finest young defenders in France and Italy respectively with their purchases of Jacquet and Leoni and that much is revealed by their combined cost of around £90m.
As evidenced by the recent £30m acquisition of Belgium youth international Lucca Brughmans, who will stay at Genk for the season ahead, Liverpool do not mind paying the premium for young players whose future value will theoretically greatly exceed their transfer fees.
But for all the potential of Jacquet and Leoni, the robust physicality of Araujo and the versatility and experience of the long-serving Gomez, it is Van Dijk who remains the top dog among Reds centre-halves.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, goes the old saying. But those rare nights off for Van Dijk should no longer be cause for concern, even if the prospect of his Anfield goodbye should be delayed by the club opening new contract talks.